Chapter 98 – The Guest from the Jungwon Sword Family (2)

Kim Jeong-rak couldn’t help but have many thoughts.

According to Seo Ji-han, the place where his two sons were now was an unexplored location somewhere in Abyss.

The biggest problem was that he couldn’t go there without the key, which was the map.

‘But can I trust Seo Ji-han’s words?’

This was the most important premise.

He certainly couldn’t rule out the possibility that Seo Ji-han’s words were a lie.

His two sons had participated in the quest while hiding their identities, and this was to backstab the other two.

And it was highly likely that the target was Seo Ji-han rather than Heo Jeong-ah.

If his two sons had had trouble with Seo Ji-han, then this story would be a complete lie.

“I plan to pass through the portal of this map soon.”

Seo Ji-han was pointing at the map in his hand, revealing his future plans.

Still, for now, he had to hope that those words were true.

Because that way, the most hopeful scenario would unfold.

In fact, there was one thing that added credibility to Seo Ji-han’s words.

The map he was holding.

It certainly looked similar to the map that Kim Jeong-rak himself had received from Abyss in a similar situation.

‘Yes. For now, I have no choice but to believe him.’

Kim Jeong-rak eventually came to that conclusion.

Now, the best move he had to make was to get that map from Seo Ji-han.

“This may be out of line, but I have a proposal for you, Unit Leader Seo.”

“Please speak.”

“How about handing that map over to me? We, the Jungwon Sword Family, would like to rescue the two nameless hunters who have disappeared.”

But Seo Ji-han’s question immediately followed.

“Is there a reason for the Jungwon Sword Family to go to such lengths?”

In fact, even Kim Jeong-rak himself thought it was an unnatural proposal.

It would be more persuasive to state a more realistic reason rather than pushing for an act of kindness.

“To be honest, I have a feeling that map holds some plausible reward. Haha! Was I too honest?”

“Actually, the type of people I hate the most are those who hide the truth and only put on a show of pretense. If you hadn’t spoken honestly, Family Head, I would have been very disappointed. In fact, I too have a gut feeling that this map will bring a great reward.”

“As expected. Then I will make a more concrete proposal. How about selling me that map? As long as it’s not an outrageous amount, I will pay you as much as you want, Unit Leader Seo.”

Whatever amount Seo Ji-han named, he was willing to pay it.

Since the whereabouts of his two sons, who were also the future of the family, would be beyond that map, money was not important.

Kim Jeong-rak swallowed dryly and waited for Seo Ji-han’s answer.

“I’m sorry to say this to you, Family Head, but I have no intention of selling this map.”

“Hoho. It’s practically the same as offering a blank check, yet you’re going to refuse without even writing down an amount, Unit Leader Seo?”

“I have as much money as I need.”

He wasn’t unaware of the financial power of the Haewon Sword Family, but Seo Ji-han’s status was still that of a mere unit leader.

His attitude of refusing without consideration was just frustrating.

“Instead, I have a proposal for you, Family Head.”

“Speak.”

“I have no intention of selling the map, but I am willing to give one spot to the Jungwon Sword Family, since the entry capacity is three people.”

“One of the three to our sword family?”

It wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t the worst situation either.

It was disappointing, but he felt he had to grab that offer quickly before Seo Ji-han changed his mind.

“But there are conditions.”

“What conditions?”

“40 years ago, I believe you performed a quest similar to mine, Family Head Kim Jeong-rak. You were the final winner at that time as well.”

“That is true.”

What on earth was he trying to say by bringing up the past. Kim Jeong-rak had a bad feeling.

“Please lend me for a moment what you received as a quest reward 40 years ago, Family Head.”

“W-what did you just say!”

“I have just told you facts that have not been disclosed to the public, Family Head. Purely as a gesture of friendship. You also offered me a blank check, but is it difficult for you to lend an item for a few days in return?”

“Hoho!”

He had never imagined that Seo Ji-han would make such a proposal.

The reward that Kim Jeong-rak had received from Abyss 40 years ago had never been revealed to the outside.

This item was also the secret to how he and the Jungwon Sword Family had been able to grow.

“If you are troubled, then it can’t be helped. Then let’s consider this deal off.”

Seo Ji-han’s gaze and tone were firm.

“Look here. Unit Leader Seo. What will you do if I take out a fake item? You surely won’t have a way to confirm it.”

“If you play such a trick, Family Head, not only the deal but also the friendship between our two sword families will end there. Do you think I don’t even have that much sense? I am also the final winner of a quest similar to yours, Family Head.”

A catch-22 situation.

If Seo Ji-han’s firmness was at this level, then a deal through a blank check was as good as gone.

Also, as he said, if he tried to play a trick with the item, his relationship with him would end there.

He had to make a choice.

After much deliberation, Kim Jeong-rak finally opened his mouth with difficulty.

“Then I have a condition too.”

“Please speak.”

“Absolute secrecy. You must not disclose any story about this.”

“Of course.”

Looking at the smiling Seo Ji-han, Kim Jeong-rak made a resolution.

‘I’ll have to kill him.’

The most certain and simple way to keep a secret by silencing him.

On the very day he would enter Abyss with Seo Ji-han, he would have to finish him off for sure.

***

“You were looking for me, Unit Leader.”

The next morning, I summoned Choi Ho-joong.

“Yes. I have something to tell you.”

“When you say it with that look in your eyes, I feel uneasy for some reason.”

What was wrong with the look in my eyes.

“It’s nothing big, you have a Bimu scheduled.”

“Sir? Why a Bimu all of a sudden?”

“A friendly exchange. The opponent is Jo Cheol-seung of the Jungwon Sword Family, have you heard of him?”

“Sir? Jo Cheol-seung?”

From his reaction, it seemed he already knew.

Well, since he was a guy who was quite famous among the hunters in their 20s, there was no way that Choi Ho-joong, who was quick with information, wouldn’t know.

“Aren’t you grateful? The unit leader even sets up Bimus like this to raise the reputation of the unit members.”

“That’s not it, sir! Far from raising my reputation, I’d be lucky not to be disgraced.”

“You don’t seem confident. Are you scared of Jo Cheol-seung?”

“I’m not scared!”

“Then?”

“I’m afraid of tarnishing the image of the Haewon Sword Family and the Chamryongdan.”

“That’s what being scared means.”

Choi Ho-joong beat his chest in frustration and complained.

“I think you made a mistake this time, Unit Leader! Honestly, Jo Cheol-seung is not an opponent on my level.”

“Ho-joong.”

“Yes, Unit Leader.”

“You seem to be mistaken, but I don’t make mistakes.”

“Yes. I’m sure you don’t.”

This bastard.

“And I never set up a losing fight. I’ve never done that, not even once.”

“Understood. Since a Bimu that has been scheduled can’t be canceled anyway. I will do it.”

“Isn’t it correct to say, ‘I will win,’ not ‘I will do it’?”

“I will win.”

Only his voice was loud; it was an answer that seemed to have no soul.

“Then lead the way.”

“To where, sir?”

“The dungeon. Let’s do some special training there.”

The dungeon was the most suitable place to use the item borrowed from Kim Jeong-rak.

Also, this item was an exquisite thing that would fill in Ho-joong’s lacking parts.

***

Stupeo.

This bracelet borrowed from Kim Jeong-rak was a very interesting item.

“Huh? Uh, uh, uh, uh!”

When I had Choi Ho-joong wear it, the guy immediately made a fuss.

“Why are you making such a fuss.”

“Unit Leader! It feels like all my five senses are going crazy!”

“That’s why you’re wearing the bracelet. And stop being such a baby. It’s only set to level 1.”

Stupeo’s basic function was to disrupt the senses.

It was an item that could disrupt all senses, from sight, hearing, taste, smell, to touch, in stages.

Of course, if the function of this item was simply limited to this, it wouldn’t be anything special.

Stupeo’s true value was in helping to normalize the disrupted senses by connecting mana and the senses.

In short, it was a training device for mana operation.

And being able to control all the senses of the body through mana was an essential gateway to becoming a Sword Master.

“One Orc warrior ahead!”

But Choi Ho-joong was just flustered even at the approach of the monster.

“I can’t see it!”

It wouldn’t be just that he couldn’t see it.

He wouldn’t be able to smell the Orc’s unique stench, nor would he hear its footsteps or its ferocious roar.

“Still, you seem to hear my voice well. Go and take care of it.”

“You want me to fight an Orc in this state? Are you kidding?”

“Seeing that you can hold a conversation, you seem to be able to endure it. For reference, your sense of touch is also disrupted, so it won’t hurt much even if you get hit. Maybe you won’t even feel the pain if one of your arms gets cut off?”

“U-Unit Leader!”

Still, there was something to praise Ho-joong for.

This Stupeo causes tremendous pain just by wearing it.

The senses going crazy were said to be enough to drive one mad.

This was the reason why Kim Jeong-rak’s two sons had not achieved great success even with this item, but Choi Ho-joong, although it was his first time, was showing a very excellent performance.

“Ho-joong, it’s almost here. If you want to live, pull yourself together.”

“U-Unit Leader!”

Choi Ho-joong hurriedly swung his sword.

He had spotted the Orc only at the last moment.

Of course, the way he operated his swordsmanship was extremely clumsy.

With all five senses broken and his mental state not intact, this was within an understandable range.

The important thing was that his sword had cut the Orc. Even if it wasn’t perfect.

Swaaaaaak!

A long red line was drawn on the Orc’s chest, and blood splattered.

It wasn’t a fatal wound.

The enraged Orc warrior launched a counterattack, swinging its huge club.

The Choi Ho-joong of usual would never have allowed such an attack, but now he would have to concede it more often than not.

It was obvious that his reaction speed was slightly lacking.

Thwack!

My prediction was not wrong.

The place the club struck was Choi Ho-joong’s shoulder blade.

Still, it was excellent that he had twisted his body at the last moment to protect his head.

Thwack!

And the Orc’s attack followed again.

This time too, it was a partial defense for Choi Ho-joong. He had avoided a dangerous spot, but at this rate, the rain would soak his clothes.

Whoooosh!

Choi Ho-joong’s sword cut through the air.

Clumsy swordsmanship, as expected.

Thwack!

And Choi Ho-joong was seen allowing the third attack.

You can’t be full from the first bite, so this was enough for a taste.

I immediately threw the Holy Sword Bastian.

My beloved sword, which flew like a gale, pierced through the Orc’s head.

It was Bastian’s first debut on Earth.

Friend! Just the other day, we were fighting a dragon, and now we’re dealing with a mere Orc!

An Orc was a gentleman.

In my first hunt after reincarnation, I even lost consciousness after catching a single Goblin.

Compared to then, it was a development to be deeply moved by.

“Choi Ho-joong, get a grip.”

“Sir?”

Even though the danger was gone, Choi Ho-joong was still on alert.

His senses were definitely messed up.

“Take off the bracelet.”

He immediately removed the bracelet with a face full of joy as if he had heard a voice of salvation, but what came at the same time was pain.

“Aaaargh! Unit Leader!”

The three attacks he had allowed from the Orc.

He was in agony as if the anesthesia had worn off.

“If it hurts, put the bracelet back on.”

“I’d rather be in pain!”

For Choi Ho-joong, Stupeo meant pain beyond that.

“What kind of item is this! This is a complete man-killer!”

“That depends on how you use it.”

“Don’t talk if you haven’t hunted with this on! My senses were going crazy, I really thought I was going to lose my mind!”

“Watch carefully.”

“Sir? What?”

“Hunting an Orc with it set to level 5.”

I put on the Stupeo and immediately turned the device on the bracelet to make it level 5.

“U-Unit Leader!”

“If I cut off the Orc’s head with one strike, you’re going to catch all the remaining Orcs in this dungeon, Ho-joong. With the bracelet on, of course.”

I picked up the Holy Sword Bastian and began to walk ahead.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep